Get Involved

Want to get involved with health education? Looking to develop your facilitation skills? Are you passionate about helping individuals and groups explore their health and well-being?

Alice! Health Promotion is recruiting volunteers to serve as Certified Peer Educators (CPE)! Undergraduate and graduate students from across the university and affiliates are welcome to apply. During your tenure, CPEs will gain experience with workshop facilitation, implementing outreach events, and leading conversations about health and well-being.

Eligibility criteria:

• Currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate, or professional student at Columbia University or affiliates
• Commit to at least 1 year of service (Fall 2023- Spring 2024) in the role
• Attend weekly 1-hour virtual supervision meeting on Tuesdays

Timeline:

• March 1 - March 31, 2023: Application open
• April 2023: CPE interviews
• May 2023: Offers go out to selected CPEs
• Summer 2023: Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training (virtual)
  • Daily, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET, 1 Hour Break, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM ET
  • July 24 - July 28, 2023
• Mandatory virtual supervision meeting starts August 1, 2023

Apply to be a Certified Peer Educator

Join us at a virtual information session to learn more about what it means to be a Certified Peer Educator! Click the link below to register for an info session.

• Wed, March 22 at 6 PM

What is included in the Certified Peer Educator training?

CPE Training helps peer educators develop leadership skills to be able to successfully create and implement campus programs. The training includes eight modules, covering the role of peer education, helping peers make a behavior change, listening skills, response and referral skills, how to take action and intervene, recognizing the role of diversity and inclusivity, programming and presentation skills, self-care, and group dynamics.

Gay Health Advocacy Project advocates are student volunteers trained to address a broad range of issues pertaining to sexual and emotional health. Advocates provide information about the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as the psychological factors connected to these issues.

New advocate recruitment and training typically takes place each year in the fall semester.

Fall 2022 Recruitment

We're searching for volunteers who are interested in supporting the sexual & reproductive health of the Columbia community. Students from all of Columbia's schools and affiliates are welcome to apply.

Apply to be a GHAP Advocate

Join us for an information session to learn more about the GHAP Advocate program. During this sessions, you will learn about the program expectations, training requirements and application process.

• Monday, August 29 @ 6:00PM ET
• Monday, September 12 @ 6:00PM ET
• Thursday, September 15 @ 6:00PM ET

No registration is required. We encourage you to add the date/time you plan to attend to your calendar. At the time of the session, join the following Zoom Room: https://columbiahealth.zoom.us/j/3968570289

For the Fall 2022 GHAP Advocate cohort, training is anticipated to begin in late September and will be held on Mondays from 6-8pm on the Morningside campus. 

The Gay Health Advocay Project (GHAP) is a sexual health advocacy group, part of Alice! Health Promotion. Alice! is part of the integrated Columbia Health department, which serves students health and well-being needs on the Morningside campus. Volunteer GHAP Advocates provide 1:1 support to students on a variety of sexual and reproductive health needs, including providing resources and referrals for HIV testing and counseling, PrEP and PEP consultations, routine STI screenings and education, birth control, menstrual control and reproductive health education, and peer support around sexuality, gender and identity. You can learn more about the GHAP program on the Columbia Health website. 

Questions? Call us at (212) 854-6655 or email [email protected].

Peer advocates with Sexual Violence Response are students of all identities who are committed to supporting SVR’s mission of eradicating sexual and relationship violence and all forms of gender- and power-based violence in our community.

Peer advocates provide survivors and their supporters with:

• confidential emotional support
• accompaniment
• referrals to on- and off-campus resources.

They also help survivors make informed decisions about their medical, legal, and disciplinary options. 

Eligibility

• Must be currently enrolled in a degree program at Columbia University or affiliate schools and in good judicial, disciplinary, and academic standing.
• Able to attend all specified training sessions (minimum 40 hours).
• Able to commit to at least 2 semesters of service in the role. The semesters do not need to be consecutive.
• Supportive of our mission statement and are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Learn more about the Peer Advocate Program

Deadline

• April 26, 2023 to be considered for Summer Training on May 15-19, 2023 (condensed virtual training with self-study components)
• November 1, 2023 to be considered for Winter Training on Jan 4-12, 2024 (in-person training)

How to Apply

Applications are accepted and interviews are held on a rolling basis.

Apply to be a Peer Advocate

Questions?

Contact Sexual Violence Response at (212) 854-3500 and ask to speak with Stacy Peterson or email [email protected].

Peer educators with Sexual Violence Response are students of all identities committed to preventing sexual and intimate partner violence and to educating their peers about healthy relationships and sexuality.

After completing volunteer training, peer educators will be equipped to facilitate interactive workshops and discussions both on- and off-campus, plan events for sexual assault and relationship violence awareness months, and engage in community outreach.

Peer educators provide the University community with information about:

• Sexual violence and relationship abuse
• Campus services available for survivors and co-survivors
• Positive ways to communicate about sex
• Social and cultural norms that can contribute to violence
• How to create a safe and supportive environment that does not tolerate sexual violence

Eligibility

• Must be currently enrolled in a degree program at Columbia University or affiliate schools and in good judicial, disciplinary, and academic standing.
• Able to attend all specified training sessions (minimum 40 hours).
• Able to commit to at least 2 semesters of service in the role. The semesters do not need to be consecutive.
• Supportive of our mission statement and are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Learn more about the Peer Educator Program

How to Apply

Applications are accepted and interviews are held on a rolling basis.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend volunteer training (minimum of 40 hours) on Jan 5 and Jan 8-12, 2024.

Apply to be a Peer Educator

Questions?

Contact Sexual Violence Response at (212) 854-3500 and ask to speak with Kaila Eckstein or Debjani Roy, or email [email protected].

The Student Health Advisory Committee acts as a liaison between the Columbia student body and the six departments and offices of Columbia Health:

• Alice! Health Promotion
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Disability Services
• Insurance and Immunization Compliance
• Medical Services and Gay Health Advocacy Project
• Sexual Violence Response

The committee has three primary goals:

1. To facilitate communication between students and Columbia Health administration and personnel
2. To establish an active link to the student community for Columbia Health information and activities
3. To involve students in the planning and implementation of student health-related programs and services

Who serves on the committee?

The Student Health Advisory Committee is comprised of Columbia students and works with the Columbia Health leadership team to determine committee priorities and initiatives. The committee includes both undergraduate and graduate students. Various student groups, organizations, and representatives from student government are members of the committee. Members are expected to attend committee meetings and maintain a high level of engagement with the committee.

When does the committee meet?

The committee holds monthly meetings during the academic year To find out when the next committee meeting will be held, email [email protected].

How does someone become a committee member?

If you are interested in joining the committee as a member, or have any questions about membership expectations, email [email protected].

Questions or concerns?

For questions or to bring a concern to the attention of the committee, email [email protected].